Photos by Jim Breslin
The chicken vindaloo at Mumbai Bistro will please customers who enjoy a hot and spicy entree.

WEST CHESTER — “This chicken vindaloo melted my face.”

That was my “thumbs up” Facebook review of Mumbai Bistro after my first takeout order. This Indian restaurant, which opened on South Church Street in May, is themed “Fast, Fresh, Home-style Indian Food,” and the concept is winning fans.

When we went to review the menu on the Mumbai Bistro website, we realized we could easily order online. We chose two dishes, added in side dishes of basmati rice and naan and placed our order. Fifteen minutes later when I walked into this brightly colored restaurant, our bag was neatly packed and ready to go.

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The chicken vindaloo was excellent and so spicy that I needed three IPAs to quell the heat. The garlic naan was memorable, the type one ends up craving later. We enjoyed our meal so much we ordered again about two weeks later, only this time I chose the milder dish of chicken korma. That was enjoyable, too, and I was able to finish it with only one beer.

Mumbai Bistro is the brainchild of Rick Singh, and the West Chester restaurant is it’s second location. The first Mumbai Bistro opened four years ago in Philadelphia, between Jefferson Hospital and Pennsylvania Hospital. “The doctors, the nurses, the students — they are always on the run,” Singh explained. He designed Mumbai Bistro to provide affordable, quick Indian cuisine to those in a rush.

Singh’s parents have owned the popular New Delhi Indian Restaurant at 40th and Chestnut streets for 26 years.

When Singh decided to open a second Mumbai Bistro, he chose West Chester for a few reasons. “I always liked it here,” he said. “I went to West Chester University and I know so many people here.” He joked that many college friends left West Chester only to return a few years later.

If you’re unfamiliar with Indian cuisine, I have a few recommendations to get you started.

For an appetizer, go with the samosas — fried turnovers stuffed with your choice of vegetable, chicken or lamb.

Entrees include curry, vindaloo, korma and biryani, made with your choice of chicken, lamb or vegetables.

Not sure what dish to order? It’s quick and fun to choose directly from their buffet.

Take-out containers are available, and the cost is $5.25 per pound.

“We keep it affordable, but we also keep food quality fresh and with the right amount of spices,” Singh said. “We grind our own spices; we take coriander seeds or cumin seeds, for example, and grind them ourselves.”

He explained that instead of butter they use soybean oil. “Our cooking is homestyle cooking.”

Mumbai Bistro officially opened May 8, just as college students wrapped up their spring semester. Singh is preparing for a return in August. Mumbai Bistro received final approval for outdoor seating, and Church Street is nicely shaded at dinner. The restaurant is a BYOB, and remember to pack extra beer if you order the vindaloo.

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